The Sub Male Lead is Burning with Jealousy - Chapter 5 Part 10 - The Brazenness of an Exposed Unrequited Love

“Of course, she should want to keep me around for a long time! Do you wish for Anais and me to divorce?!”

“How could that be? Your Majesty will surely cling and hover around Her Majesty the Empress for the next 30 years. As your subject, how could I possibly wish to see that?”

“…What exactly do you think of me?”

“If Your Majesties were to be married for 20 years, surely there would be imperial heirs by then… Considering Your Majesty’s ego, 30 years of pining seems appropriate. Is that too short?”

“…”

Too short, indeed. If there were children between them, he could vividly imagine himself longing for Anais and soaking his pillow with tears until his death.

“I’d never divorce Anais, not even in death!”

“I will actively support you. 50 years seems too long, after all.”

While the words seemed supportive, Rahil felt a sudden urge to throttle Sion. Noticing Rahil’s glare, Sion wisely took a few steps back, creating some distance.

“Your Majesty, if you delay any further, you’ll be late for the ball.”

Prompted by another Aide, Rahil clicked his tongue, reaching out his hand. Two Aides approached, one placing a pen in his hand, and the other spreading the first document in front of him.

With a scowl, Rahil turned his attention to the paperwork. Upon encountering a problematic section, he ordered a waiting official to be called in.

A few exchanges later, the volume of voices began to rise, alerting the staff outside that the day’s work had truly begun. It seemed it would be a long day ahead.

* * *

Since it wasn’t a grand imperial event, Anais entered the ballroom with Francis. Ideally, she would have arrived with Rahil, but that would have only made the atmosphere heavier.

The venue was filled with numerous knights and noble ladies. While there were many ladies and their partners, the ball was primarily intended for knights.

Anais, seated in the Empress’s spot, greeted the nobles who came to pay their respects. Some were already within her circle, while others were desperately trying to become part of it.

She wasn’t in a hurry. Though the marriage wasn’t to her liking, there was no reason to lose her composure anymore. She had almost nothing to expect from this marriage.

‘I don’t wish to end up liking Rahil. It’s unfair and irritating.’

With a smile that was polite yet distant, Anais signaled for the musicians to start playing the dance music. Couples who had been waiting for the right moment greeted Anais and began the first dance.

Knights approached ladies they were interested in for a dance, while the ladies looked on, hiding their faces with fans. Their conversations largely revolved around marriage. It was expected, as most nobles brought their daughters hoping for matrimonial prospects.

The ball was not significant enough to command the presence of all high nobility. Yet, many had attended to honor the Empress’s name.

The nobility still gauged the Emperor’s reactions and valued Anais as a significant figure among them.

‘If His Majesty appears more clingy towards me, that would clarify things for them.’

Anais knew well. To truly grasp power, she eventually had to accept Rahil’s affection. Rahil might be ready to give her his all now, but his feelings wouldn’t last forever.

First love might persist foolishly for over a decade, but subsequent affections wouldn’t necessarily follow the same pattern. Rejection hurts everyone, and no one is immune to the pain it causes.

Yet, her heart remained unmoved. Being comfortable with physical closeness to Rahil was one thing, but falling in love with him would be infuriating for Anais.

“Your Majesty.”

A lady whispered to Anais, indicating that the Duchess of Calyx, Angelica, was approaching from the other side. Her husband, Theodore, seemed to be delayed.

‘What a nuisance.’

Anais made sure not to frown as she thought this.

Angelica Calyx, now a duchess, was not a tactful woman. Before her marriage, she was like the eye of a storm, always involved in various incidents and accidents. Her frankness, cheerfulness, and brightness often came across as tactlessness.

She was resilient to bad luck and surrounded by well-meaning people. Even when she caused trouble, things tended to resolve in her favor, with her admirers usually cleaning up the aftermath.

Anais understood Angelica’s intentions. She wanted to make everyone around her a friend.

She likely believed that the rumors swirling in society were false and that she and Rahil were innocent of any wrongdoing. She hadn’t considered how ridiculous it would look, especially to Anais, Rahil’s wife, who might appear foolish in the process.

‘Just because there’s no malice doesn’t mean everything is forgivable.’

Many people tried to maintain the same status before and after marriage. It was natural; marriage doesn’t change a person overnight.

However, marriage changes one’s position and responsibilities. A different attitude is required for these new roles.

‘If I become close to her, I’ll just become another ‘side character’ around the protagonist.’

The type who gives a wry smile in response to Angelica’s antics, playing the role of a kind, yet inconsequential Empress who tidies up after her. Perhaps even the big sister figure to Angelica, occasionally chiding the Emperor who dotes on Angelica too much.

‘I hate it all!’

If not for this situation, perhaps Anais could have become friends with Angelica, even liked her. As a reader of the novel, she found the story entertaining. But being married to the sub male lead changed everything.

Angelica Calyx represented everything Anais wished not to dwell upon.

Anais was certain that even after bearing children with Rahil, she would remember the vows Rahil made on Angelica’s wedding. That moment had been too intense and absurd to forget.

‘I’ll just be seen as narrow-minded person. Even if Rahil ends up hating me, I don’t care.’

She had no intention of diminishing herself to be seen as a good person. For whom should she become a better person here? She didn’t love Rahil!